Christina: What is Quest Excursions' focus?
Eric: We're focused on the intersection of travel and community: we are excited about the notion of travel as a way to build genuine bonds with fellow travelers and locals in the destinations we support. My co-founder James Tong and I first met more than a decade ago during a camping trip organized through our MBA program, and were inspired years later to launch Quest Excursions by how formative our travel experiences were during school and the lasting connections we fostered.
We started off working primarily with universities on graduate student experiential learning programs, with an emphasis on unique and authentic experiences. We've since expanded to support alumni and affinity groups, reunion trips, and company retreats, and are now beginning to work with tour operators on the DMC side of our business (more on that below).
Christina: How do you find the right local partners to suit your unique mission?
Eric: I'm fortunate to have built an amazing global network of friends and partners in the travel industry over the years (many of whom I first met through the ATTA community). Experiential travel is core to our identity, so we made a decision at the outset to only collaborate with partners who shared our values. When we're looking for new partners, beyond word of mouth, organizations like the ATTA and industry gatherings have been key channels to build collaborations with companies who are aligned with our vision and we can trust to help support our complex trips. That being said, we're always on the lookout for great new partnerships, especially in underserved regions, so we are very open to prospective partners reaching out to us!
Christina: For university students, we know that climate change is a concern that can weigh heavily. Recent research from MMGY indicated for example that “92% of Gen Zers and 89% of Millennials are ready to alter their travel behaviors to reduce their environmental footprint.” Have you seen signals of this in your business yet, and how are you thinking to address climate as you build the business?
Eric: Sustainable travel has been a longtime personal passion, and we’ve definitely seen our university clients treat it as a priority. We’re very conscious of the environmental impacts across the board - not just emissions - of all our trips. That’s why we carefully choose our local suppliers (with a strong preference for those with verifiable sustainability certifications) and are emphasizing low-emission forms of transport wherever possible. Climate and sustainability resources provided by Tomorrow’s Air and the Adventure Travel Trade Association are informing our efforts as we work to build a more formal sustainability policy.
Christina: From our conversation, it sounds like you are evolving quickly from being solely a buyer to support international educational travelers into a DMC here in the United States. Can you share more about the types of partners you're looking to meet and what sorts of trips you've been offering in the USA?
Eric: Through our work with the university market in the US, we found that our clients were struggling to put together high-quality domestic trips, and we received similar feedback from our contacts overseas. Our goal with Quest Excursions DMC is to offer both breadth and depth: we support the whole US, but try to add distinct local flavor in all of our destinations. We also take equal pride in showcasing lesser-known gems with which even many Americans are not familiar. For example, Westcliffe, Colorado is one of the few remaining places where you can still get an authentic taste of the Old West, an International Dark Sky community, and a jumping-off point for incredible adventures in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
In terms of the partners we're looking to meet, we have two key priorities for this side of our business: one is identifying the highest-quality local activity providers, guides, and boutique hotels throughout the country to both ensure an authentic and local experience for our travelers and support the communities we visit. The other is finding like-minded buyers abroad who are excited about what we offer and are looking to provide unique experiences in the US.
Christina: What has been the best thing so far about being at the helm of your own business?
Eric: I would say it's the ability to paint on a blank canvas. It's been incredibly fun and rewarding both personally and professionally to build something new that aligns with our vision and values. We're still relatively early in this journey, and are continuing to grow and evolve as we identify where there is demand for the type of experiential and community-focused travel experiences we offer. And most importantly, I've really valued the flexibility I've gained to incorporate my responsibilities as a dad to two young kids more organically into my life.
Christina: Anything else you want to share?
Eric: I never really thought I would eventually start my own business. But when my co-founder James approached me about the idea, I came to realize that despite my apprehension about taking such a big leap (especially as a parent of young kids), I was truly passionate about the concept of building community through travel and excited to create something from the ground up. I've been extremely grateful for all the support we've received along the way, and I would encourage anyone reading who has an idea they are passionate about to also genuinely consider taking the entrepreneurial route!
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Christina: Finally, send us off with a trip tip from your portfolio? What's one of your favorite Quest Excursions trips?
Eric: I recommend checking out our Gualala, California excursion, one of my favorites for its remoteness - cell service is very limited, making it a great place to disconnect from the modern world - and the opportunities the region presents for mixing history, culture, and incredible natural beauty.
Find our more about Quest Excursions and plan your next trip here!